The question is not how to get cured, but how to live.

Vernon Lewis

G’day,
I was intrigued to read Joseph Conrads contribution this morning. Like him, I have been diagnosed for more than 30 years. He makes a most important point; important point with the line, “the question is not how to get cured, but how to live.” His discussion of being an inspiration to others is also most valid. I was feeling very, very depressed at one point and communicated this to an acquaintance. He was most surprised and appalled that I could think this. He said that everyone who saw me was inspired that I could appear so positive and happy all the time (I am a former teacher of drama). I resolved that I was still contributing to the community, often in ways that I could not even imagine and more frequently for so many people I barely knew.

I resolved to continue the facade and it became the reality; I was a much more pleasant person to be around and there was no question of me going down that road of being SO depressed where my mental health was quite life threatening. The cure is a faint dream and unimportant now as I keep on doing the extensive set of exercises I have developed to keep me healthy and active. I love my life, even though the inevitable is happening of increasing symptomatic severity.

I will not give up because there is so much more I want to do.